Back Saw Restoration

Pretty good restoration job! I like the before and after pics being in the same location.

-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.

Thanks Gary, I did that on purpose, to give the viewer the same perspective. Seemed like a good idea, so I’ll probably do that on the next ones as well.

-- "Give me your poor tools, your tired steel, your huddled masses of rust." Yep, I ripped off the Statue of Liberty. That's how I roll!

Tomcat, the saw turned out looking great. Can’t wait to see the other restored items.

CtL

-- Chris L. "Don't Dream it, Be it."

Classy restoration.

Thanks guys! I’m pretty proud of it.

-- "Give me your poor tools, your tired steel, your huddled masses of rust." Yep, I ripped off the Statue of Liberty. That's how I roll!

This is looking good…

-- Dorje (pronounced "door-jay"), Seattle, WA

Thanks :D

-- "Give me your poor tools, your tired steel, your huddled masses of rust." Yep, I ripped off the Statue of Liberty. That's how I roll!

How nicely u have changed the look of your back saw. What are the shortcuts BLO and OCD stand for. Recently I have broken the handle of my Tennon Saw. If I want to make it which is the best wood for it?
Patanjali

-- patanjali

Sharad,

I sent you a private message, but figured I should answer here as well, since others may have the same questions. BLO is boiled linsead oil. OCD is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.

As for the tenon saw handle, many of the old quality saws used apple. Several modern saw makers use things like walnut and I believe one or two may use beech (guess based on pics). Some also use more exotic woods like bubinga, rosewood, and cocobolo, just to name a few. I figure that any wood that’s strong and stable would work well.

-- "Give me your poor tools, your tired steel, your huddled masses of rust." Yep, I ripped off the Statue of Liberty. That's how I roll!

Thank u for the information. I will try to get a proper wood for making the handle. But I cannot wait till it is done. I am making a temporary repair to the handle and I will post the picture within a few days. What is the best way to protect the new handle. How u have cleaned the saw blade. Is it only with a sandpaper or any chemical was used?
Patanjali

-- patanjali

Great job on the saw. Looks like the buffet could stand a refinish also.

-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †

Sharad,

The only thing besides sandpaper used was plain old mineral spirits. In my opinion, it’s definitely a requirement for restoring an old saw. Without it, it just doesn’t work.

Karson,

Oh yes, the buffet definitely needs to be refinished. It belonged to my great grandmother, and it was neglected by my mother who just couldn’t do anything with it. It’s one of the projects I plan on attacking in the future…one of many :)

-- "Give me your poor tools, your tired steel, your huddled masses of rust." Yep, I ripped off the Statue of Liberty. That's how I roll!

What exatly is mineral spirits? Is it kerosine or a thiner used in the paint shop. Search engine did not give me information on what is mineral spirit that is why this question.
Sharad

-- patanjali

Yep, mineral spirits is a paint thinner. Around here, it’s packaged simply as mineral spirits, though it may be packaged differently in your area.

-- "Give me your poor tools, your tired steel, your huddled masses of rust." Yep, I ripped off the Statue of Liberty. That's how I roll!

Having just discovered this website,and having just thru good fortune managed to lay my hands on a well-worn Spear&Jackson made-in-Sheffield tenon saw,I would like some suggestion from you Tom,or anyone else on restoring the tote(i.e. handle)which looks like the one in your pictures.I have managed to de-rust most of the blade with good old-fashioned ‘elbow grease’ and wet ‘n dry but want to bring the tote back to a nice lustre.The sawblade requires sharpening too.

I have rubbed the tote down with a 0000 grade steel wool,lightly sandpapered it,and then applied ordinary linseed oil but did not quite get a sparkle out of it so was wondering whether to apply Danish Oil.Open to suggestions.

I was about to place an order for another made-in-Sheffield tenon saw made by Footprint but it is horrendously marked up by the stockists to cash in on the recent demise of Footprint,so if I can get this S&J back to working order soon,I can then cancel my order.

That should have made a big difference

-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop Southern Oregon